Balmoral Presbyterian Church  Where the Spirit Takes Flight   BPC NEWS BRIEF Wednesday, September 15, 2021

mailing address:  Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187

NEWS THIS WEEK WORSHIP for SUNDAY September 19 PASTOR on CALL FALL SUNDAY STUDIES BEGIN THIS SUNDAY, SEPT 19 Locations for each class Assignments for 1st week SEASON of DEDICATION Commitment Season Peace & Global Witness PC(USA) Special Offering VIDEO SPECIAL!aaa Celebrating 10 years of the Partnership of Circle of Faith and Balmoral Presbyterian BPC Photos Worship 9/12

WEEKLY INFORMATION Birthdays Calendar of Events OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT INFORMATION HELPFUL COVID-19 LINKS LINKS to DOCUMENTS REMINDERS: CHANGES to WORSHIP IN-PERSON POLICIES & PROCEDURES FALL ACTIVITIES WRITERS GROUP every Monday BIBLE STUDY 1st Wednesdays ELLIS SMALL GROUP 1st & 3rd Thursday TROUBLE I'VE SEEN SMALL GROUP 2nd Thursday Evenings BOOK CLUB 2nd Tuesdays PINECREST CAMP FOOD & COCKTAILS Oct 24 PCUSA DISASTER ASSISTANCE to HAITI

SUNDAY WORSHIP Balmoral Presbyterian Church Sunday, September 19, 2021                                    BALMORAL WORSHIP 11:00am  IN BPC's SANCTUARY Scriptures: Psalm 146 & Matthew 10:40-42 Sermon: "Hospitable Space" Guest Minister: Rev. James Gale, Executive Presbyter of the Mid-South

IN-PERSON WORSHIP Due to the new CDC Recommendations EVERYONE WILL BE REQUIRED to WEAR MASKS, whether vaccinated or not. SEE BELOW for POLICIES and PROCEDURES. You will also receive our regular worship email, with the bulletin and link for livestream worship, if you plan to worship at home.

CIRCLE of FAITH WORSHIP at 8:30am IN BPC's Fellowship Hall Everyone is also invited to join the Circle of Faith's return to In-Person worship service! To enter the building, use Office door to the Fellowship Hall.

FALL SUNDAY STUDIES 2 Sunday Studies classes begin Sunday Sept. 19, 9:45-10:45am. See details below for classes and locations.

You will still receive emails on FRIDAY & again on SUNDAY with links to the the services online access for Worship & a downloadable Sunday Worship Guide.  Previous Worship Services at Balmoral are still available on the  Balmoral YouTube channel

LIVE STREAM ONLINE WORSHIP

Balmoral's service will ALSO be LiveStreamed online for those who want to "be there" but still need to be able to worship remotely. You will receive an email on Friday and again on Sunday morning with a copy of the bulletin and a link to the LiveStream online service.

Rev. Carla Meisterman is on Family Leave through Sunday, Sept 19, 2021.

Rev. Elizabeth Dick will be the Pastor on call while Carla is out. You can reach Elizabeth by email elizabethdick2@gmail.com or by phone or signed text at 314.330.0506

REMINDER: PASTORAL CARE CHANGES: Pastors will be providing pastoral care by phone or by Zoom but will not be able to do home visitation or hospital visitation while the Delta Variant is on the rise. In addition the session voted that there will be no small group gatherings at the church until further notice. The Rev. Elizabeth Dick’s gathering of small groups and home communion are cancelled for now due to the Delta variant

FALL SUNDAY STUDIES BEGIN Sunday, September 19, 9:45-10:45 am

Fall Studies will run 10 weeks Sept. 19 through Nov. 21 2 classes will be offered:

Bible Study— Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st & 2nd Thessalonians Leaders: Clinton Bailey, Stanley Gates, Cliff Stockton and William Warren Bible Study will meet in the BPC Sanctuary Please use the BPC Sanctuary doors to enter and exit from the Bible Study Class this week. The group will begin this Sunday with William Warren introducing the letter to the Ephesians and cover chapters 1 & 2. Bring your Bible and be sure to wear a mask! (Click here for the schedule of the class this semester.)

"Love is the Way" by Bishop Michael Curry and Sara Grace Walk the path of love and learn how to put faith into action. The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God.  Leaders: Kristen Gurlen and Sherry Wilkins "Love is the Way" book discussion will meet in the Fellowship Hall Please use the Church Office door to enter and exit the building for the "Love is the Way" book discussion class. Books are available online from several book sellers, including Amazon, and is available on Kindle and Audiobooks.

Classes will meet in person. REMINDERS: All participants must be masked at all times!

SEASON of DEDICATION

In this Season of Dedication, we prepare to commit ourselves once again, our time, our talents, our tithes and offerings, to fulfill God's purpose for Balmoral!

September is a time in the life of our church when we intentionally renew our commitment to God and the ministries we have been called to, individually and congregationally, at Balmoral Presbyterian Church. This past year has seen a world we never dreamed could happen. Now, Balmoral is envisioning a whole new chapter in our history as we discern who we are, who we want to be and who will be called to join us in our journey.   During this Season of Dedication, we ask our congregation to do two things:   The first is to make time to be still for a few minutes and simply begin to listen for the way God speaks to you. Each Sunday in September, a member of our Session will offer a Minute for Commitment during our worship services. They will share with you what their committee has accomplished this past year despite the challenges of a world so changed. They will also share with the committee’s hopes and plans for the coming year. Then join with our Session in our commitment to following God's guidance in the way we support our budget and serve our God!   The second thing we ask from the congregation is to begin to consider making your financial commitment to the 2022 budget of Balmoral Presbyterian Church and return it by mail or email or present a Commitment Card in worship on Commitment Sunday Sunday, September 26, 2021. You will receive a commitment card this month in the mail or in worship that you can fill out for making your financial pledge for 2022.   Step out in faith. Watch to see how God can use your time, your talents, and your treasures in ways you may never have expected to support the works God is setting before us this next year.

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MINUTE for COMMITMENT from the Formation Committee, Becky DeLoach, Chair Sunday, September 12, 2021

As chair of Formation, I’m kicking off the beginning of Stewardship season for our church. During the next two Sundays you will hear from the Operations chair and from the Outreach chair. Last year thee Formation Committee submitted the following four goals to the congregations: 1. Continue to offer Sunday Studies classes. 2. Continue connectional Session contact lists. 3. Maintain Sunday Studies and Sunday Worship services virtually. 4. Pray for our physical reunion at church.   For 2022 the Formation committee plans to : 1. Continue to develop and implement inspiring Worship services. 2. Care for our congregational family. 3. Provide opportunities for spiritual growth and development through Sunday Studies. 4. Continue to offer programs that foster the growth and nurture the spiritual and personal relationships within our church family through congregational activities.   In spite of the pandemic, small groups, PW, Book Club, Writers’ Club and others have continued to thrive. As chair, I send out a big thank-you to all committee members who organize and for all volunteers that lead our programs. Thank you.  To our congregation, thank you for your continued support of Balmoral.

At this season, we join other churches in the PC(USA) and in the world together for World Communion Sunday on October 3.

A gift to the Peace & Global Witness Offering enables the church to promote the Peace of Christ by addressing systems of conflict and injustice across the world. Individual congregations are encouraged to utilize up to 25% of this Offering to connect with the global witness of Christ's peace. Mid councils retain an additional 25% for ministries of peace and reconciliation. The remaining 50% is used by the Presbyterian Mission Agency to advocate for peace and justice in cultures of violence, including our own, through collaborative projects of education and Christian witness.

A Light in the Clearing When the prophet Elijah, deep in the throes of an existential crisis, fled to Mount Horeb in search of God, he was met instead with the sound of sheer silence. Natalie Pisarcik knows just how he felt. See her testimony in this video that illustrates how the Peace & Global Mission offering promotes the Peace of Christ.

Let us pray: Loving God, when we walk in the valley of the shadow, remind us that we are only steps from your light. Draw nearer to life, by the arms of our shared ministry, all who feel hopeless, lost, or deserted into your loving embrace, into the warmth of your sight. Amen.

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Peace and Global Witness Offering bulletin inserts and envelopes are on the table in the Narthex. Envelopes can be placed in the offering plates through Sunday, Oct. 3. Checks should be made out to Balmoral Presbyterian with a note that they are for the "Peace Offering" noted on the check. Or you can mail your check to Balmoral Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 17309, Memphis, TN 38187. You can also submit your offering online at https://specialofferings.pcusa.org/make-a-gift/gift-info/peace-global-witness/

CELEBRATING the 10th ANNIVERSARY of the RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BALMORAL PRESBYTERIAN and CIRCLE of FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER

Did you know that Sunday, September 12, 2021, was the ten year anniversary of our relationship with Circle of Faith Christian Center? During those years, we have had many shared memories, Sunday Study classes and small groups. To commemorate this event, Balmoral worked with Thomas Bergstig and Circle of Faith to produce a video history of this journey.  Without further adieu, click here to watch the video:

FALL ACTIVITIES

OPPORTUNITIES to PLUG-IN

HERE ARE THE GROUPS ACTIVE for FALL... And all of these groups welcome and encourage any BPC and Circle of Faith members and friends to join! All are currently meeting only on Zoom, but will move to in-person meetings when CDC guidelines indicate it is safe to meet.

WRITER's GROUP: You don't have to be an accomplished author - anyone interested in capturing new ideas will have fun - you don't even have to share what you write! Every Monday 2:00pm, led by Ted Pearson  JOIN MONDAY'S WRITER'S GROUP via ZOOM MEETING  PW BIBLE STUDY: Monthly guided Bible Study using Presbyterian Women curriculum ... but it's not just for Women! 1st Wednesday of the Month 10:30 am; contact Susie Knight for information Join us for Bible Study on Zoom  Ellis Small Group  Fellowship, topics of interest, and prayers, led by Glenda Ellis 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month 10:15 am  JOIN Ellis Small Group Zoom Meeting BOOK CLUB Books recommended by group members are discusssed each month. For more information, contact Janice Hill 2nd Tuesday of the Month 1:30pm JOIN the BOOK CLUB ZOOM Meeting Trouble I've Seen Small Group Topics on Social Justice discussed, led by Kristen & Cliff Gurlen 2nd Thursday Evening of the Month 7:00 pm Join Trouble I've Seen Zoom Meeting

PINECREST FUNDRAISER October 24 at Shady Grove Presbyterian

CURRENT WORSHIP PROCEDURES

Due to New CDC Recommendations regarding the Delta Variant the following will be observed: Masks will be worn in the building at all times Social Distancing of 6 feet will be observed at all times; please avoid close contact with others, such as hugging or shaking hands. Passing of the Peace is eliminated from the worship service Pastor will be masked at all times except at the pulpit when she is preaching and leading worship Choral leaders will be masked at all times except when they sing or lead liturgy Musicians will be masked at all times, except those who play brass or wind instruments The congregation will not sing IN CASE of a SERIOUS EXPOSURE of COVID-19 THAT MAY HAVE AFFECTED Worship Leaders or the Congregation, Sunday Worship may have to be cancelled at the last minute. IF SO, the CONGREGATION WILL RECEIVE an EMAIL as soon as the DECISION to CLOSE is made, and again the SUNDAY MORNING EMAIL WILL SO INDICATE.

NOTE: Communion for September has been cancelled The full Choir will postpone returning to Worship in September as planned and will re-evaluate as the COVID situation improves.

PLEASE, FOR THE SAFETY OF YOURSELF, ALL THOSE YOU LOVE AND CARE FOR, UNVACCINATED CHILDREN, AND PEOPLE WHO WILL COME INTO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE YOU COME INTO CONTACT WITH: Anyone who is experiencing symptoms of illness (EG: sinus infection; flu like symptoms; sore throat; fever or chills; cough; shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; fatigue; muscle or body aches; headache; new loss of taste or smell; congestion or runny nose; nausea or vomiting; diarrhea) should consider contacting your Healthcare Provider and let them know you may have been exposed to a breakthrough case of COVID-19 to a fully vaccinated person. PLEASE DO NOT COME TO THE CHURCH IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS Thank you for continuing to observe the ever-changing policies as we navigate the pandemic together. BPC COVID-19 Task Force Scott Hill - Chair Mary Schmitz, Clerk Kathy Singleton, Barry Dotson, Beverly Hooker, Scott Dawson, Frank Carney To contact the Chair of the BPC COVID-19 Task Force: Scott Hill - signed text: 901.277.9794 email: hill8910@bellsouth.net

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE EXPOSED TO OR HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH COVID ·        Contact The Reverend Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506 or elizabethdick2@gmail.com ·        Let Elizabeth know when you were last in church ·        Give permission for notification to the congregation ·        Get Tested, if you have not already been ·        Contact any person or persons you have been with and follow with your doctor's and/or the Health Department's advice.

HAITI RELIEF

And after the earthquake … a sound of sheer silence. Then there came a voice … that said, "What are you doing here?" (1 Kings 19:12–13)

The scale of the disaster facing Haiti after the Aug. 14 earthquake is becoming clearer. The quake and its aftershocks have left almost 1,300 people dead, thousands more injured and an unknown number of people are still missing. At least 13,000 homes were destroyed and roads, bridges and communication systems have been severely damaged. This catastrophe comes on top of Haiti’s ongoing struggles with endemic hunger and poverty, COVID-19 and continuing civil unrest, and as Tropical Storm Grace bears down on the region. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is providing emergency relief and short-term recovery in the impacted areas through our established local partners and in collaboration with ACT Alliance and its members. The PC(USA), through PDA and together with regional World Mission colleagues, will remain active throughout the entire recovery process, accompanying our partners in the area as they determine long-term program needs and providing financial support for rebuilding and resilience. The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are once again called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray. GIVE. ACT. PRAY. GIVE: Gifts can be made online, by phone at (800) 872-3283, or by check, which can be mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700. ACT: Learn how you and your congregation can help families who have lost everything in the devastation. Stay informed and like us on Facebook, download resources and share updates with your congregation. PRAY: As this earthquake continues to cause destruction and loss of life, please pray with us that the communities affected by this event and those offering assistance will be strengthened, have their needs met and be reminded of the hope found in God.

BIRTHDAYS for

Lisa Koffman (16); Mitchell Lucas (19)

Every Monday 2:00pm Writer's Group CLASSROOM A and/or on Zoom  JOIN MONDAY'S WRITER'S GROUP via ZOOM MEETING 1st Wednesday of the Month BIBLE STUDY 10:30 am Join us for Bible Study on Zoom 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month Ellis Small Group 10:15 am  JOIN Ellis Small Group Zoom Meeting 2nd Tuesday of the Month BOOK CLUB meets in person in Classroom A and/or on Zoom The September meeting will ONLY be on Zoom. JOIN the BOOK CLUB ZOOM Meeting 2nd Thursday Evening of the Month 7:00 pm Trouble I've Seen Small Group Join Trouble I've Seen Zoom Meeting 1st & 3rd Thursday of the Month COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE

Sunday September 12, 2021 8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall NO SUNDAY STUDIES - NEW CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 19 11:00 AM BPC Worship Service in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream Sunday September 14, 2021 1:30 PM BOOK CLUB on Zoom JOIN the BOOK CLUB ZOOM Meeting Sunday September 19, 2021 8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall 9:45 SUNDAY STUDIES: Bible Study: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians (in the BPC Sanctuary) "Love is the Way" (in the Fellowship Hall) 11:00 AM BPC Worship Service in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream Guest Minister: Rev. James Gale, Executive Presbyter of the Mid-South Sunday September 26, 2021 Commitment Sunday 8:30 AM Circle of Faith Worship in the Fellowship Hall 9:45 SUNDAY STUDIES: Bible Study: Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians (in the BPC Sanctuary) "Love is the Way" (in the Fellowship Hall) 11:00 AM BPC Worship Service in the Sanctuary & on LiveStream

PLEASE NOTE: The Church Office will NOT be staffed. Please continue to use your contact lists to reach us!

REMINDERS: We must help to keep the SEED children safe! Please do not enter the SEED area of the building without authorization and be sure to wear masks around the children. Small Group Meetings in Classrooms A & B must be scheduled with Barry Dotson, barry.dotson@yahoo.com or signed text/cell: 901. 277.1596 Requests for other uses of the property (including the parking lot) MUST prepare a proposal to the BPC COVID-19 Task Force (Scott Hill, chairperson) for review; the task force will review the proposal, then make a recommendation to the Session for consideration.

BPC PHOTOS

WORSHIP, September 12, 2021

Call to Worship Rev. Elizabeth Dick

Cliff Gurlen Update from the HR Committee

Choral Leaders Clinton Bailey, John Gilmer, Leiza Collins, Robin Ashworth, Frank Carney on piano

Minute for Commitment Becky DeLoach Formation Committee, Chair

CORRECTION for Sunday, Sept 5 Bells of Balmoral members on 9/5 were Beverly Hooker, John Gilmer, Ellie Gurlen, & Kristen Gurlen We apologize to Beverly Hooker who was mis-labeled in last week's Newsletter

COVID-19 HELPFUL LINKS

Click the link below to get current locations for VACCINES: HERE'S WHERE YOU CAN GET VACCINATIONS For COVID-19 TESTING information, go to this link: https://covid19.memphistn.gov/resources/covid-19-testing-sites-in-shelby-county/ NOTE: Several CVS and Walgreen's locations are now currently on the updated list at the link above.

Family & friends visiting? Going to visit a gathering? How safe will you be? Click the link here: https://covid19risk.biosci.gatech.edu/

COLONIAL PARK FOOD DRIVE

IF ANYONE IS CALLED TO SERVE.... We work every 1st and 3rd Thursday.  Colonial Park UMC 5330 Park Ave CONTACT SCOTT DAWSON for more INFORMATION

THE JOHNSON AUXILIARY CLOTHES CLOSET IS NOW BACK in ACTION!

ALWAYS in NEED:  SUMMER-WEIGHT CLOTHING!  Men's casual shoes - all sizes (new or gently used)   Men's new underwear - large and XL  Women's shoes (casual) sizes 9 and up  Women's plus size clothing  New women's underwear - all sizes   Toiletry items - new, unopened (trial size are fine)   ALSO - New adult coloring or puzzle books are needed for people waiting at the hospital while their loves ones are being treated. Your contributions really help and are greatly appreciated!    Place items in the baskets in the narthex hallway. VOLUNTEERS are also needed! Contact Beverley Hooker for more information!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Pastoral Care this week will be supplied by Rev. Elizabeth Dick 314.330.0506        or email elizabethdick2@gmail.com      Session members are your primary contact for ongoing communication. Here's the current contact list: Lori Blackwelder .... (901) 262-8282 ............... LORIEB1165@yahoo.com Leiza Collins ........... (901) 246-5031 ..................... leiza1016@gmail.com  Becky DeLoach ...... (901) 489-3369 ............. BeckyMD2905@gmail.com Barry Dotson .......... (901) 277-1596 ............... barry.dotson@yahoo.com Janice Hill ............... (901) 826-9747 ................... janicehill81@gmail.com Beverly Hooker.........(901) 496-1241 ......................... bev.h@earthlink.net Ted Pearson home: (901) 754-9796 ...................  pearsonteda@aol.com  ...........................cell: (901) 486-6117 Erich Shultz .............(901) 268-4951 ...................emshultz@bellsouth.net John Van Nortwick (901) 605-2907 ............ jvnortwick@cornerstone- systems.com (NOTE: Many of these Session members work during the day, so you may want to text them or email them.) Keep in mind that ANY Balmoral member who is healthy will most likely be happy to help you in case of need as well! To contact other members, the most-current contact information is available by requesting a copy of the BPC PHONE DIRECTORY from Kathy Singleton by email ksingle2@bellsouth.net or by phone or text to (901) 734-7193.

LINKS to DOCUMENTS We have been keeping reference articles in the Newsletter each week throughout the summer. It's time to take them out, BUT some of these may still be helpful, so we will store them and give you links to them, but eliminate them from the body of the newsletter itself.

To access a document, simply click on the link name. The document will then open in your browser as a PDF file! TIPS for using ZOOM DOWNLOADABLE DOCUMENT of the 2021 BOOK CLUB DESCRIPTIONS REVISED PRINTABLE CDC MASK GUIDELINES BPC Building & Worship Policies & Procedures eff. 6/6/2021 BPC Building & Worship CHANGES to Policies & Procedures effective 6/14/2021 Circle of Faith Building & Worship CHANGES to Policies & Procedures effective 6/20/2021 SUNDAY STUDIES BIBLE STUDY Schedule for FALL

Newsletter Articles & Photos should be emailed to Kathy Singleton at ksingle2@bellsouth.net no later than Monday at noon for the week you want the article in the news. Bulletin Information should be emailed to Rev. Carla Meisterman, with a copy to Kathy Singleton, no later than Monday noon the week before the Sunday you want the information to appear. Prayer Concerns should continue to be submitted via email to Rev. Carla Meisterman (carlam@balmoralpc.com)

SEPTEMBER 2021 online church calendar Click HERE for the BPC Calendar  The calendar will take a few seconds to load and, once it opens, you will see the month that we are currently in. To see the next month's calendar, click on the arrow pointing down - it is just to the right of the name of the month. Once you click on that arrow, an icon will appear with all the months of the year listed. Click on the month that you want to see. To see a specific date, click on the number of the day you would like to see. The entire 2021 calendar is available to you.